Vintage Electrolux Repair Help in MA

[real1shep]

Only to add that a good Aerus store is going to be geographical and getting older parts is going to depend on that particular branch's philosophy. Here, they are not cooperative or knowledgeable on older stuff and very far away from me.

Yet they periodically call me to sell me stuff or have one of their 'tech experts' come by. I bought their very expensive air purifier and the filter alone is over $120.

You can buy some of the older style hoses through most Aerus stores. Albeit again, way over $100. Not sure if you can buy the G's special hose with the electric pigtail from them.

G motors rebuilt used to be plentiful on Ebay. When Electrolux went to the tan/bronze G tank, the motor was improved and a bit stronger. You could tell by the color of the brush holders.

Kevin

 

[jo]

In my experience, in the New England area Electrolux was extremely popular and still well known and even as Aerus. Perhaps because it is an older part of the country that was heavily populated earlier during Electrolux’s big era so there’s a larger quantity of these machines there and older ones as well so the Aerus stores are likely to be more apt to help you there because so many older machine still are going there so demand for parts there is higher. The factory for many years was in Connecticut and then finally moved to Virginia and people also like to support the local economies adding to the machines popularity in the area. Anytime I’m in the northeast and happen to discuss Electrolux or Aerus with anyone everyone knows what it is and many say they have one or have a family member with one. Just by looking at craigslist Boston versus other parts of the country there are many more used ones available there at any one time.

Hopefully you won’t have too many issues. I know the Aerus dealer near my Mother is always helpful for anything she ever needs even giving us used parts either for a deal or for free as I’ve been there myself. She is in Northern NJ.

Kevin, sorry your dealer hasn’t been nearly as cooperative, some of them are more interested in just selling new machines than repairing or helping out a customer with an older machine to keep it going.

To me this is bad practice because if they don’t help you with the old one hoping you’ll just buy a new one, if you don’t buy the new one, it leaves a bad feeling about them and you’ll be less likely to go back for anything or buy a new machine from them in the future should you decide to. They can make plenty of money off servicing older machines and keep customers happy all the way around. Since they are franchised, it really depends on one branch to another on the level they are willing to help you out. So far my experience with both the NJ branch and the one here in Dallas has been very nice and helpful with anything I have needed. Though I will admit I’ve bought a used genuine hose or two and a few used machines off eBay but often it takes time to find what you need in genuine used parts on eBay as things aren’t always available and even then they are used so no telling how much life is left in them.

Jon

 

[kennyv]

Thanks for the video. I did watch it through, and I was able to disassemble the top, remove the cord winder. Everything looks pretty good on the cord of the Marquise. My Wife mentioned that she did have the plug replaced at a local vacuum service center not too long ago. The cord winder end looks healthy right to where it enters the winder.

The switch looks a little iffy, and the wires that attach to the cord winder seem as though they could stand to be replaced. Not sure how much of a task that is. It's pretty dirty inside, so I'm glad I've opened it up to give it a good cleaning anyway. Any other parts I should be looking out for while it's disassembled?

Jo/Jon, thanks for all of the info I'll need to read through your posts here before making a decision on the G, but I'm 100% she would rather me repair the models I own before any upgrade. She's a real die-hard for the old vacuums

The Ambassador seems to still work well with good suction. It's probably in the best cosmetic shape of the 3, but it seem to work sometimes and not others. Any thoughts on that?

To be clear, these are all used around the house. No longer for a cleaning business. They'll get the daily use with my two kids creating a mess, but not the abuse of a business setting.

You've all motivated me to learn as much as I can. I've read up on the history of Aerus Electrolux, and I'm looking forward to digging into these machines and hopefully coming out with 3 working classics....then I'll consider buying another one

Thanks again

 

[jo]

Switch

I’m guessing it’s the switch. If you plug it in, turn it on and open the bag door and the light is not on then likely it’s the switch or cord. Sometimes the cords get an internal break. I’d replace the switch as it looks pretty dicey in your picture anyway. Aerus will have it for sure.

If you have an air compressor, it does a wonderful job of blowing all the dust out of the motor and everywhere else.

You should be able to find a used G motor or have the one guy rebuild the old one for you.

On the ambassador, that could be a switch issue too..or a burnt spot on the cordwinder tracks that make the electrical contact. If it won’t work, try changing how much cord is retracted if switching it off and on doesn’t do anything and it stays off. I’ve seen the cord reel tracks arc on other brands but haven’t on an Electrolux yet But I don’t doubt it has happened.

On the Marquise, make sure that newer cord end hasn’t failed.

Jon

 

[real1shep]

Well, even though the "local" Aerus is completely lackluster....the guy that sold me the expensive air purifier is quite the character.

He asked me if I wanted to restore older Electrolux's....we just kind of stared at each other for a moment....before that he admitted he had a warehouse full of them.

I'm not retired quite yet and so I won't be restoring his vacs anytime soon. Also, he'd have to convince me there's money for me in it. No way I'm being his repair surf.

Kevin

 

[human]

I'll second Jon's assessment on the switch. It looks pretty shot. And I'd replace the connectors on the ends of the wires while you're at it. There's a lot of oxidation there, which can inhibit a solid electrical contact. I'd also check that replacement plug to see if something might have worked loose inside. Electrolux canisters are super tough machines and this one will definitely run again.